Method of applying a refractory lining to a rotary steel converter

Abstract

A converter vessel is coaxially surrounded by a trunnion ring carried by a pair of trunnions for rotary or tilting motion about a horizontal axis. In order to permit rotation of the vessel relative to the trunnion ring about the vessel axis at right angles with the noted horizontal axis, two annular rows of support elements such as rollers are mounted on the trunnion ring and engaged with respective annular tires on the vessel so as to bear its radial load. Two other annular rows of rollers or like support elements are also mounted on the trunnion ring and engaged with the respective tires so as to bear the axial vessel load. Several identical drive mechanisms are compactly mounted within the trunnion ring for revolving the vessel through a gear drive, friction drive, or chain drive.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of applying a refractory lining to an inner surface of a vessel of a steelmaking converter, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the vessel with a trunnion ring encircling and supporting the vessel coaxially by radial and axial support rollers uniformly distributed substantially throughout the circumference of the trunnion ring, in such a manner as to enable the vessel to rotate about its centerline axis relative to the trunnion ring, which is rotatably supported about a stationary axis transverse to the centerline axis;   (b) providing a flowable refractory material within the vessel;   (c) rotating the vessel at least about its centerline axis to such an angular position that a specific worn lining region will be covered by the refractory material; and   (d) causing the vessel to oscillate rotatingly through an angle about its centerline axis in two opposite directions with respect to said angular position.   
     
     
       2. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 1, including the step of pouring produced steel out of the vessel with slag left therein, upon completion of a refining operation in the vessel, thereby to provide flowable refractory material in the vessel. 
     
     
       3. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 2, including the step of adding magnesia to the slag in excess of its saturation limit when the refining operation is carried out. 
     
     
       4. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 1, including the step of oscillating said vessel at an angle of more than 90 degrees in each of the opposite directions. 
     
     
       5. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of discharging produced steel and slag from the vessel upon completion of a refining operation in the vessel and then supplying into the vessel an amount of a high magnesia-content refractory material in fluid form, containing dolomite. 
     
     
       6. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of discharging produced steel and slag from the vessel upon completion of a refining operation in the vessel, then supplying into the vessel a powdered, high magnesia-content refractory material and a heat generating material, and thereafter blowing oxygen to these materials thereby causing the heat generating material to generate heat and to melt the refractory material. 
     
     
       7. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heat generating material is coke. 
     
     
       8. The method of applying a refractory lining as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of discharging produced steel and slag from the vessel upon completion of a refining operation in the vessel, then supplying a powdered, high magnesia-content refractory material into the vessel, and thereafter heating and melting the refractory material by means of a burner lance. 
     
     
       9. A method of applying a refractory lining to an inner surface of a vessel of a steelmaking converter, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the vessel with a trunnion ring encircling and supporting the vessel coaxially by radial and axial support rollers uniformly distributed substantially throughout the circumference of the trunnion ring in such a manner as to enable the vessel to rotate about its centerline axis relative to the trunnion ring, which is rotatably supported about a stationary axis transverse to the centerline axis;   (b) rotating the vessel at least about its centerline axis to an angular position sufficient to cause a desired area on an inner surface of the vessel to face substantially upward; and   (c) spraying a pulverized refractory material to the desired area substantially from above.